Who will cut the grass verges in Mid Ulster?

Shauna Corr

Due to what appears to be the ever-tightening purse strings of the Department of Regional Development [DRD] it has emerged that in 2015-16, grass along roadsides in the Mid Ulster area may not be as well tended as it is now.

The news, which was relayed to Cookstown council through its policy resources and services committee could mean that Cookstown loses out on the £19,081 that DRD paid towards grass cutting in the last financial year.

The department is currently considering the level of service it will be providing, however, the safety of road users will remain the priority - DRD

When asked about how this would impact on the town, a TransportNI spokesperson said: “Due to severe pressures on the department’s resource budget, routine grass cutting will be significantly scaled back in 2015.

“TransportNI is currently advising councils that the department will not be in a position to part-fund their urban grass cutting programmes during the 2015/16 financial year.

“The department is currently considering the level of service it will be providing, however, the safety of road users will remain the priority.”

Last year concerns were raised about the department’s inability to fund many street light repairs, including some in the town.